DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH 98/041
FIGURES PUBLISHED ON PATIENTS DETAINED UNDER MENTAL HEALTH ACT
A statistical bulletin on the numbers of patients formally detained in hospital under the Mental Health Act 1983 was published today by the Department of Health
The bulletin, which covers the period 1991-92 to 1996-97, is one of an annual series summarising information about people detained in NHS facilities, including high security hospitals and private mental nursing homes under the 1983 Mental Health Act.
Key points include:
Between 1991-92 and 1996-97:
- The number of formal admissions to all facilities rose from 20,600 in 1991-92 to 25,600 in 1994-95 and then fell to 24,200 in 1996-97
- The number of men formally admitted under Part II of the Act (Sections, 2, 3 and 4) to NHS facilities increased by 30 per cent, from 8,500 in 1991-92 to 11,000 in 1996-97 compared with an increase for women of 8 per cent from 9,600 to 10,400
- The number of formal admissions to private mental nursing homes increased from 460 in 1991-92 to 1,010 in 1996-97
In 1996-97
- The rate of formal admissions for England was 47 per 100,000 population
- 88 per cent of all formal admissions were to NHS hospitals under Part II of the Act
At 31 March 1997
- There were 11,500 patients detained in hospital, 1,400 in high security hospitals, 9,400 in other NHS facilities and 700 in private mental nursing homes
Note to Editors
Copies of the Department of Health Statistical Bulletin, `In-patients formally detained in hospitals under the Mental Health Act 1983 and other legislation, England: 1991-92 to 1996-97'' are available price #2.00 from the Department of Health, PO box 410, Wetherby, LS 23 7LN, Fax: 01937 845 381.
Produced by the Government Statistical Service
[ENDS]
# = pounds sterling
